BAFFERT DEFENDS HIMSELF IN WAKE OF TWEEBSTER’S DEATH IN CLAIMING RACE

Trainer Bob Baffert has to be looking forward to the new year after a 2012 filled with personal and professional losses.

Baffert suffered a near fatal heart attack in Dubai earlier this year, lost his father and had numerous problems with top horses like Bodemeister and Paynter. Bodemeister finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and Paynter was second in the Belmont Stakes to give the Hall of Fame trainer, owner Ahmad Zayat and jockey Mike Smith three seconds in the 2012 Triple Crown races. On top of that, Baffert’s star horse, Game on Dude, lost in his two big races, the Pacific Classic and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

And now he is facing criticism on Twitter and other social media sites about the death of Tweebster, a 5-year-old gelding he trained for Kaleem Shah. Tweebster won $246,968 in winning three races, taking seven seconds and four thirds from 22 starts. He also was second in the 2011 Strub Stakes and San Fernando, both Grade II races.

Baffert dropped the gelded son of Pulpit into a $12,500 claiming race Sunday at Santa Anita, and the gelding broke down after finishing fifth in the nine-horse field. He fractured sesamoids in his left front leg and was euthanized.

Baffert was criticized by race fans for sending out what they alleged to be an injured or less-than-sound horse. But Baffert defended himself with a detailed statement released on Monday.

“We all know racing is a sport of extreme highs and lows, and there is nothing lower than the death of a horse,” Baffert wrote in the statement. “When the public’s perception is that you are somehow responsible it makes the pain all the greater. Not only am I distressed over the death of this tough, gallant horse, I am deeply troubled by the comments on social media. They insinuate Tweebster’s death was a result of my dropping him down for a $12,500 claiming tag, suggesting the horse was unsound and I was merely trying to get rid of him.

“I respect and fully appreciate the sensitivity regarding the well being of animals, so I feel I owe it to everyone to explain the events that led to Tweebster’s injury and subsequent death.

“As is required, Tweebster was thoroughly examined by the state veterinarian yesterday morning and found to be perfectly sound going into the race. The decision to run him in this particular race was not based on a lack of soundness, but rather a lack of races available for him at higher claiming prices. Tweebster was healthy and happy. I felt he was in need of a confidence booster and thought this would be an easy spot for him to get it. I understand a severe drop in class can indicate a horse is unsound, but I assure you that was not the case with Tweebster. Just before the race, heavy rain and hail poured down, making the track more muddy and heavier. The horse was moving great and his jockey says he felt comfortable throughout the race. It wasn’t until after the finish that Martin (Garcia, the jockey) felt him take a bad step. We brought him back to the barn in hopes of saving him, but knew quickly that wasn’t going to be the case.